I realize that Lt. Kestel and the Tie/AG are not a tier 1 ship right now, but I wanted to look at a way to maximize the anti-ace capacity of her pilot ability. So, for fun I threw together 2 lists to support her. I didnt want her to be the biggest threat in the list, but was also trying to avoid having her as the closer. So without further ado, some theory crafting (semi)goodness.

List 1

TIE Aggressor: •Lieutenant Kestal (34)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Deadeye (1)
Synced Turret (4)
Homing Missiles (5)

TIE Defender: •Countess Ryad (35)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)
Intensity (2)

TIE Phantom: Sigma Squadron Pilot (30)
Stygium Particle Accelerator (2)
Collision detector (0)
Fleet Officer (3)

Total: 99/100

List 2

TIE/SF Fighter: •"Quickdraw" (42)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)
Expertise (4)
Fire-Control System (2)
Cruise Missiles (3)
Sensor cluster (2)

TIE Aggressor: •Lieutenant Kestal (37)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Deadeye (1)
Synced Turret (4)
Homing Missiles (5)
Cruise Missiles (3)

TIE Bomber: Scimitar Squadron Pilot (21)
Lightweight Frame (2)
TIE Shuttle (0)
Fleet Officer (3)

Total: 100/100

I'd take the Inquisitor instead of the Sigma in your fist list with no bid.

I still think Kestal is too fragile to joust with though,which is a shame as I really like her ability.

Goseki, the main point of the 3rd ship is the fleet officer sending an extra focus to the primaries...that way Kestel can use her ability, and either QD or Countess has an extra focus for the green dice.

Overall I agre that INQ or OL would be a better primary fighter, but it loses the focus synergy, does the increased ability for the 3rd ship outweigh the synergy of the fleet officer?

I'd say so as youre basically spending points on a substandard ship/build to support the ability of another one. But it might work fine!

That Sigma Pilot is a very interesting choice. Sadly, Major Stridan is just a bit too expensive to provide a bit more reach on the Fleet Officer Combo.

Still, I believe we all had some time now to watch what happens to non-cloaked Phantoms, and staying cloaked seems a bit counterintuitive with a phantom (they tend to demand center stage in a list). So I'm taking it that the point of the Phantom is to keep up closely with Kestal in order to ensure Range 1?

Because otherwise, how about Captain Jonus? Leaves enough points for the officer, adds a tank roll and gives Kestal re-rolls.

I was planning on running the Sigma cloaked for the majority of the opening and mid game rounds, then letting it go after damaged ships in mid to late game. Im running it online tonight amd the next few nights, then Ill move over to list 2 on Sunday, and work on the Jonus and INQ versions over the next 2 weeks.